Luxor (Egypt)

Luxor is a Nile River cruise port and city in southern Egypt, with total area approx 416 km2 (161 ml2) and population around 510,000. Luxor is famous worldwide with the site of the ancient city Thebes (Waset) - capital of the 4th (out of all 22) Upper Egyptian nome (Sceptre land). Located close to Nubia, Thebes was an important hub for trade and mineral resources. At its heyday, Thebes was Egypt's wealthiest city.

The archeological site Thebes comprises areas on Nile River's both banks, where are the temples of Luxor and Karnak (including Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Kings). On the western bank are the necropolis (large cemeteries) and funerary complexes.

According to some sources, in 2000 BC, Thebes had population around 40,000. For comparison, at that time, world's largest city (Memphis) had population 60,000. There are speculations that between 1500-900 BC, Thebes became world's largest city with population over 75,000. More than 60 annual festivals were celebrated in Thebes, the largest being Koiak (dedicated to Apis Bull), Opet (dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu), Shemu (Low Water / Harvest season), Beautiful Festival of the Valley (halloween-like, dedicated to gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu).